By CHARLES IWUOHA

No fewer than 99 enumerators are currently undergoing training for 12 days ahead of the National Population Commission (NPC) Trial Census in nine Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Enugu State.

Flagging off the training in Enugu on Friday, the Federal Commissioner Representing Enugu State in NPC, Chief Ejike Ezeh, said that the nine LGAs for the Trial Census had been selected three council areas each from the three senatorial zones.

Ezeh said that in Enugu East Senatorial Zone included: Nkanu West; Enugu North and Isiuzo council areas; that for Enugu North Senatorial zone included: Udenu, Uzo-Uwani and Igboeze council areas; while Enugu West Senatorial Zone included: Ezeagu, Oji River and Udi council areas.

According to him, in total, 7,718 Enumeration Areas have been selected for the Trial Census to test run suitability and readiness for the actual census in 2023.

The commissioner explained that the Trial Census would be used to test the new technology and innovations in the census enumeration both in terms of e-recruitment of personnel and use of special configured computer tablets for the exercise.

“The selection of the coverage areas has been scientifically and purposively carried out to achieve the objectives of the Trial Census.

“The selection of samples from all states of the federation and the FCT is expected to yield nationwide information on state-specific issues that may arise for the next census and come up with possible solutions for addressing these challenges.

“However, some states have been selected for full LGA enumeration to test challenges around complete coverage under various scenarios such as in hard-to-reach areas, special populations, and rural-urban settings,” he said.

Ezeh noted that “the Trial Census is not the actual enumeration of persons for the 2023 Population and Housing Census”, adding that the outcome of the Trial Census would not form the basis of the 2023 Census.

“Data generated during the Trial Census will not be used to arrive at figures for the 2023 Census which is going to be zero-based and from information collected in April 2023,” he added.

The commissioner called on stakeholders and the general public especially residents, security agencies and the media to support the Trial Census to ensure its huge success in Enugu State.

Speaking, the Chairman of Enugu North LGA, Chief Emeka Onunze, assured the NPC of the council resolve to support the Trial Census and ensure its huge success through massive rural publicity about the exercise.

Onunze, whose council area is selected for the exercise, lauded NPC for selecting the council area for the national exercise, adding that the exercise would further cement relationship between the commission and council.

“We are ready to ensure that the exercise moves on smoothly without any hitch in the council area,” Onunze who was represented by the Secretary of the council, Mr Abuchi Ugwu, said.

One of the trainees for the Trial Census, Miss Chioma Ani, said that she had learnt census methodology, planning and operations, use of digital maps and Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) among others.